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Baby shock for Cumbrian woman who didn't know she was pregnant

A woman got the shock of her life after giving birth to a baby boy when she didn’t even know she was pregnant.

Terry and Sarah McGowan with their baby James Edward

Allerdale council worker Sarah McGowan had no idea her first son was on the way when she started to experience back pains at work on Monday.

But the pain became so bad that she had to be rushed into hospital early on Tuesday morning – only to be told she was about to give birth. A few hours after being admitted, little James Edward McGowan arrived, a Valentine’s Day gift for Sarah and husband Terry.

The stunned couple, of Mason Street, Workington, are over the moon to have become parents for the first time – and say he is a Valentine’s present that can’t be matched.

Sarah, 30, said she had none of the normal symptoms associated with pregnancy – not even a baby bump.

So she had no idea the back pain she was suffering at work were actually a sign that she was in labour.

Sarah said: “I couldn’t quite believe what was happening to me.

“It was all a bit surreal. I hadn’t had any signs I was pregnant and had probably been doing all the wrong things.”

Fellow council worker Terry, 29, was at Sarah’s side throughout the birth.

He said that when hospital staff announced his wife was in labour, he was initially worried the baby might not be fully developed.

But baby James was a healthy 7lb 1oz when he arrived just before 5.30am.

After hearing the shock news, Sarah’s parents Adrian and Karen Rush, of Alston, and Terry’s parents Melvyn and Gillian McGowan, of Brigham, dashed to Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital to support the couple.

After a frantic night’s wait it was an emotional moment when they were finally introduced to their first grandchild.

Having had no time to prepare, Terry led a shopping spree to get everything they would need for a newborn. Sarah and baby James were kept in hospital for a couple of days but after being given a clean bill of health, they are now back home.

“He’s just amazing and doing really well. We still can’t quite believe he’s here but are so glad that he is,” said Sarah.

They also thanked colleagues at Allerdale council, who – despite the news that two members of staff were suddenly on maternity and paternity leave – have been very supportive.